CHANCE RIVERS SITS AGAINST VIKINGS

In 2008, the Chargers started Billy Volek at quarterback in a preseason game because they wanted to see how he responded given the opportunity.

There stands a good chance the Chargers do that again with Charlie Whitehurst today.

Sitting Philip Rivers would help ensure he makes it through the preseason healthy.

“There’s a lot of things you want to accomplish in a preseason game,” head coach Norv Turner said. “Obviously, that would be the No. 1 thing that would weigh on my mind.”

It was already known left tackle Jared Gaither and center Nick Hardwick wouldn’t play in tonight’s preseason game.

Turner all but ruled out his left guard, too.

Tyronne Green is not expected to hit the field, Turner said, when the Chargers play their first road game of the preseason against the Vikings, who had the NFL’s leading sack unit of 2011.

Minnesota brought down the quarterback 50 times, tied for most with the Eagles.

Gaither (back), Green (foot) and Hardwick (concussion) will be replaced by a player in his first year with the Chargers.

Guard-center Rex Hadnot is the only veteran among the subs. With the Cardinals, the 30-year-old started 16 games last year at right guard. He’ll play on the left tonight.

Undrafted rookie Michael Harris will continue to fill in for Gaither.

Dave Molk, a seventh-round pick out of Michigan, will make his first preseason start for Hardwick.

Turner says he expects Hardwick to resume activities next week.

“We’ll see where he is after that,” he said.

Ground game

Life without Ryan Mathews isn’t off to a running start.

Through two preseason games, the Chargers own the NFL’s least efficient rushing attack, averaging just 2.2 yards per carry.

The team has rushed the ball 55 times for 121 yards through two games. Against the Cowboys last week, it had 26 attempts for 53 yards.

Curtis Brinkley has been the most productive runner with 15 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. Ronnie Brown has nine carries for 24 yards.

The only running back to average more than four yards a carry is Mathews, who suffered a broken clavicle on his first carry of the preseason, a five-yard run.

Nuts ’n’ Bolts

As preseason games go, today’s is somewhat of a trifecta. It’ll be the first time the Chargers have traveled, played on turf, and dealt with crowd noise, of which there’ll be no shortage in the Metrodome. “It’s an opportunity for our young guys to experience those things,” Turner said. “Obviously, there’s different things you have to handle when you go on the road. That’s what I talked to our rookies about. This is a business trip.”

• Cornerback Shareece Wright (hamstring) is considered a game-day decision.